Non-Speaking Autistic Participation in Liturgy and Church Life: (Non-)Speech Acts

Many liturgies depend on speech. But how do those autistic people who do not speak, or speak only minimally, participate in liturgy? This article addresses how eight non- or minimally-speaking autistic people experience liturgy. Having used a range of methods for data collection, we identified two key themes in the data: the desire for (1) liturgical and (2) social participation. We interpret these findings in light of speech-act theory. We propose that conventions around what is interpreted as meaningful communication or prayer are socially constructed and can be shaped to take account of the contribution made by non- or minimally-speaking worshippers.